Recent content by Gary R. Smith

So, the scans that I did weren't "square" and I adjusted the corners with a perspective tool. In this version (below right) I used the un-adjusted negative AND applied sharpening. While it is somewhat better, the fundamental problems were: should have used more precision while focusing, should...

The two Bausch+Lomb loupes that I have are intended to pop into you eye socket and the lens is only about 1" in diameter. To be fair, I haven't looked at the negatives under a loupe on the light table and possibly re-shooting them with a more precise leveling of the camera to the light table...

Thanks Paul, I did use the B-L 4x, I had tried the 10x and got lost in the magnified edges as rendered against the ground glass finish. It's been suggested that I might try shooting with a smaller aperture. The Nikkor 150/5.6 goes down to 64. My left eye used to be my strong eye but since the...

I'm underwhelmed to say the least. The shots look soft but the focus looked good on the ground glass. Maybe it's me, maybe it's the Fomapan?

Five months after getting the Toyo 45A field camera, I finally got some decent exposures. Shot on ISO 100 Fomapan 4 x 5 sheets. (All) exposed at f/8 for 1/250 second. Developed for 6.5 minutes in Kodak D-76. Digitized with my a7R3. These jpg's are reduced size files.

Here are the sliders associated with the bleach by-pass filter in NIK's Color Efex:

Shaun, I too like to experiment with different processing (at least with my digital shots). I like how you have a unique style that I can identify with you. Thanks for sharing!

I only offered the link as a parallel to the things that Beth does with miniatures. I didn't say I liked it more or even as much as what Beth does.

Well, I obviously thought it needed something but the original is what caught my eye. Here's the uncropped version of the shot.

You might enjoy this article Beth. https://petapixel.com/2025/06/27/photographer-brings-action-figures-to-life-as-cinematic-masterpieces/

Things just looked cooler in them olden days...

#2 was cut from a full nest shot (similar to the first) and upscaled.

Left is original. Right is bleach by-pass filter from NIK Color Efex.

The more I see these two, the more I like that top shot! Nice work Gianluca!

The nest is built on a pole that I assume was planted specifically for the nest. The nest is under constant webcam surveillance which you can view here. Our hotel was located directly adjacent to the pole and my shots were from our third-floor balcony, so I had a little altitude gain allowing a...